When I woke up yesterday, I seriously did not foresee both a performance and subsequently the result that Arsenal achieved against Manchester City. Goals have been something of a problem and outside of all the things which the Gunners cannot control - injuries, illness and controversial officiating – finishing has been a serious factor in the potential perhaps not being reached.

Arsenal have broken goal records in the last two successive seasons but have not been as prolific. So when five goals go in, none of which came from set pieces, it suddenly provides a need to something of a rethink.

Now, when Kai Havertz dragged his effort wide of Stefan Ortega’s goal in the first half, I could see the headlines writing themselves, especially with Monday being transfer deadline day. Thankfully, for the German’s sake at the very least, he was able to respond with an excellent goal in the second half, finishing an even tougher chance than the one that passed him by earlier in the game.

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Many felt that any hope that remains of a potential title challenge rested on this match with a win for Man City for many propelling them instead into contention regarding the biggest challengers to leaders Liverpool. The gap could have opened to 12 points should the Reds win their rearranged Everton fixture, instead it remains six for now and the gap to City opened to nine.

It is quite mad that had any Arsenal fan been offered the chance to beat Man City in February, having drawn at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season, and go nine points clear, most would have jumped at that chance. Especially considering all this has been done in the circumstances of Bukayo Saka’s absence too.

Yet the sheer consistency of Liverpool’s performances and the fortune that has fallen their way over that of Arsenal, sees the gap to the top very different to what it was this time last season. However, what this result can be is a springboard not just in the league but in the remaining two competitions.

Arsenal travel to Newcastle next for the League Cup semi-final second leg, and while the Gunners are coming off the back of this big win, their opponents suffered defeat in their own back yard to Fulham. Should Mikel Arteta see his side repeat the performance we saw on Sunday when they travel to Tyneside, they might indeed find themselves in a League Cup final against all the odds.

Then there is the UEFA Champions League which Arsenal have already reached the last-16 for. They might have a favourable tie and there is a chance Saka could also return too, but the momentum is on offer.

That said, it could yet dissipate for fans rather quickly in the space of 24 hours should the club fail to reinforce the side this transfer deadline day. I asked Arteta whether Monday would indeed be a really good day, he however was perhaps the most dismissive of the chance of transfers than he has been this entire window.

“I don't know, my phone has been off with transfer window, forbidden to call me, to text me about any of that,” he said. “My focus was that that's the best preparation we can have for Wednesday, and that was the only thing I was interested in.”

Going into this final day of the window, it could go either way and that for many is simply not good enough from a club with hopes of challenging for big titles. Gabriel Jesus’ injury on January 12 was of course a blow that was not expected, however, the chase for players has so far not reflected too kindly.

If something is to happen, it is likely to be as surprising as the deal for Raheem Sterling. As of close to lunchtime, the chance of signing the Chelsea man was close to zero, hours later and a deal had emerged which changed everything.

The main man’s name in the frame remains Ollie Watkins who the Gunners have already seen one proposal turned down. The club have been weighing up whether it is worth moving again and whether Villa would even entertain it – but their late business this window may have opened the door if only ajar.

Arsenal will only move for a player if they feel that there is value either in the short term, if it is a loan move for example, or both the now and into the future. The question with the 29-year-old Watkins is how much is too much for a player who might indeed offer goals in the present but ultimately there are questions about how long that will be guaranteed for.

If Arsenal do end the window having not reinforced, then they have ultimately ended another winter month with a weaker squad than what they entered it which for a club like the Gunners, without sounding too fan cam cliché, is not acceptable. Jason Ayto, the interim sporting director filling the role after Edu Gaspar resigned earlier in the season, is a candidate for the full-time position.

Having an empty first window will not endear him well with supporters and if he was to get the job, it would take a massive summer to turn that perspective around. However, as mentioned, there is still time.

What Arteta does have, that being said, is two amazing young players in Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri who have lit up this middle part of the season, the latter in particular, and both scoring against the champions felt almost like a dream. They are the future and there needs to be processes in place to enable that growth and establishment even with the presence of players like Saka and Riccardo Calafiori.

If anything, Nwaneri’s contributions mean that all the market attention should be on a centre forward as he becomes the wide player that has seemed impossible to find to offer Saka depth, cover and competition – as well as offering that for Martin Odegaard too.

Arsenal while not winning the league, performed to an extremely high level in the second half of last season whereby just one defeat to Aston Villa was the difference between winning and losing the title. Results like this can inspire and the hope will be that this is exactly what is needed to propel this team toward something that before looked very bleak.